Live Blog: Presidential candidate Mitt Romney rally on West Lawn

By Ryan Buffa | gargoyle@flagler.edu

7:30 a.m. – We are live on the Flagler College West Lawn waiting for presidential candidate Mitt Romney to speak at his first rally of his national bus tour, just days after announcing his running mate Paul Ryan.

Although Wisconson Sen. Ryan will not be in attendance, Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio are expected to join the rally today. Large crowds are anticipated of both supporters and protesters.

Supporters line up in front of Proctor Library as live music is played by St.Augustine musicians the Red River Band.

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8:05 a.m. The crowd is thickening in front of the stage where Romney will be speaking and the line in front of the security gate grows. The presidential candidate should begin his speech at 8:20 a.m.

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8:55 a.m. The line for Romney rally continues to grow, stretching from the Proctor Library to the Ringhaver Student Center. Fans carry Romney signs, Romney memorabilia and carry American flags. One Romney supporter made his own Romney shirt stating “the Bro’s Gotta Go Romney 2012.”

The Red River Band left the stage and now music plays songs from speakers on the West Lawn such as patriotic country songs with lyrics such as “One nation under God, it’s America” and Elvis Presley’s “Satisfy me.”

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9:12 a.m. The Romney bus has arrived.

The national anthem is sung and the crowd cheers as they welcome leader of Florida GOP, Chairman Lenny Curry. “What this country believes in … the American dream … the president of the United States does not believe that,” Curry said.

Sen. Marco Rubio takes the stage. “Wouldn’t it be great if we had a president in office that could help our governor,” he said.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott takes the stage. “(President Obama) thinks he knows best. Does he?” The crowds yells, “No!”

Romney takes the stage and the crowd is cheering, faint boos heard from the protesters in front of Proctor Library.

“There are better days ahead when we have a better leader in office,” he said.

“We’re tired of being tired of the economy.”

“We are going to put work back in welfare.”

“My plan will create 12 million new jobs.”

“It’s not the government that builds businesses and makes it great, it’s the free American people.”